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FLETCH
US, 1985, 98 minutes, Colour.
Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler- Nicholson, Richard Libertini, Tim Matheson, Geena Davis, George Wendt, M. Emmet Walsh, Kenneth Mars.
Directed by Michael Ritchie.
Fletch is the popular character from Gregory Mc Donald’s thrillers, I. M. Fletcher. Mc Donald's novel has been adapted for the screen by writer-director Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, The In- Laws, So Fine). The film has the private-eye style, although Fletch is an investigative journalist.
The film has been designed as a vehicle for Chevy Chase and his style of low-key laconic comedy. Chase seems to enjoy himself in the role, especially with his wisecracks (and inverted irony of Dirty Harry's 'Make my day') and the various disguises and impersonations he is allowed.
The film is complicated in its plot, fairly implausible - but treated with the light touch and designed for popular entertainment.
1. A popular character? Private eye and journalist combined? Adventures? Comedy?
2. The popularity of Gregory Mc Donald's books? The character of Fletch? Fletcher as flip, cool, investigative journalist? American style? In the tradition of the private eyes?
3. The oddball world of Los Angeles, the beach, newspapers, police precincts, drug culture, wealth? The drug networks? Financial double-dealing? The contrast with the Utah locations and experiences?
4. The film as a vehicle for Chevy Chase? A likable character? persuasive? His beach cover (and his return to it)? investigations, contacts? Wisecracks and quips? Skill and range of his disguises - especially for movie buffs? Humour?
5. The plot and its plausibility, implausibility? Fletch and his ex-wife, alimony questions, the work in the paper, his column signed by Jane Doe? The beach contacts, the drugs? Fat Sam and his store? The people on the beach? Approached by Stanwyck? The meetings, the proposition? His investigation of Stanwyck? His puzzle about his health? The proposal to kill him? The encounter with Gail and the subsequent liaison? Karlin and his contacts? The visit to Utah, checking out Stanwyck, his wife, bigamist, his parents - and the humour of old folks in Utah? The build-up to the finale, the confrontation with Stanwyck, with Karlin? The romantic travel brochure ending?
6. How well was Fletch delineated as a character? how much reliance on style?
7. Stanwyck and his proposition, money, illness? now persuasive? Drug contacts? His double-dealing plan, his girlfriend? The confrontation with Fletch? With Karlin?
8. Karlin and the police, control, contacts, double-dealing by Stanwyck, shooting him?
9. Gail, her relationship with Stanwyck, reaction to the situation, helping Fletch, their liaison? The ending?
10. The sketch of Stanwyck’s parents - and the Utah comedy?
11. The gallery of minor characters: the doctor, Pat Sam, Stanton Boyd, the pilots?
12. Popular American style entertainment?